Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Let's finish off the covers for "The Fire of Creation" with Alex and Howard

 The six issue story arc came to a satisfying enough conclusion (as long as one gives into the new narrative).  However, the one standout for me was the awesome cover by Alex Ross that revealed the original concept of the 'horror face' that Gibson put forth in the early days of The Shadow Magazine.  The idea that Kent Allard was so horribly disfigured by his actions in WW1 and has to create a face to function in society (hence the master of disguise bit) really stuck with me.  I believe it is also what Sam Raimi latched onto when he wanted to do the film version of The Shadow but had to settle for Darkman.  Alas, it was a short lived idea and probably was best laid to rest as it would have been a distraction from the storytelling of the pulps adventures.  Still, a piece of The Dark Eagle's past that I loved seeing brought to life by Mr. Ross.


Here is Chaykin's effort.  Not nearly as dramatic but it probably had a bit more of a tie to the story than the Ross illustration.  The teddy that he has Margo in is just Chaykin being Chaykin, however.



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